Canada by Rail and Alaskan Inside Passage Cruise

Monday 4th September to Monday 25th September 2023

Travelling by train is one of the finest ways to see Canada. We travel on the famous “Ocean” and “Canadian” trains and watch as this vast and beautiful country unfolds before our eyes. Can there be a better way to see the wide open spaces of the Prairies or cross the world famous Rocky Mountains, where the railway routes are amongst the most beautiful in the world? Our tour includes time spent in the cities of Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. We cruise the Inside Passage between Vancouver in British Columbia and Juneau in Alaska. This is a coastal route for ocean going vessels along a network of passages which weave through the islands on the Pacific Coast of North America. Cruise ships using this world famous waterway provide unrivalled views of the rocky coastline; allow glimpses of the world’s most undisturbed landscapes; take you wonderfully close to glaciers; and offer opportunities to see rare wildlife such as whales, eagles, porpoises and bears. This is a trip of a lifetime!

Monday 4th September

Flight to Halifax, Nova Scotia

We take a flight from London Heathrow to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and arrive in the mid afternoon. We transfer to the city and check in to our hotel for the next two nights. Halifax has one of the world’s great natural harbours which has given it a rich maritime history. (D)

Tuesday 5th September

Free day in Halifax

Spend the day enjoying all that Halifax has to offer. (B D)

Wednesday 6th September

“The Ocean” to Montreal

This morning we board a luxury train at Halifax Station for the journey to Montreal. “The Ocean” has operated for more than a century along a very scenic route in eastern Canada. We can relax and enjoy the superb scenery as we travel through Nova Scotia, the forests of eastern New Brunswick, and the lower St. Lawrence River valley. Our accommodation will be in sleeper cabins. (B L D)

Thursday 7th September

Montreal

We arrive in Montreal in the morning. Today you will have a free day to enjoy Montreal and explore the many attractions and sights of this vibrant city. Check-in to your hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D)

Friday 8th September

Montreal to Toronto

Today, you will board a high speed connection to Toronto. We travel in comfort with spacious seating and along a route following the St. Lawrence River valley and to the west of Lake Ontario. Light meals and refreshments are available to purchase during the journey. We have a mid afternoon arrival in Toronto where we transfer to a hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. (B D)

Saturday 9th September

Niagara Falls

Today, a real highlight awaits, you board a morning train and depart to Niagara Falls. Travelling through the Canadian countryside to one of the most famous destinations in the world. Niagara Falls is made up of three waterfalls and spans the border between the Province of Ontario and the State of New York in the United States. Spend the day immersed in the wonder and beauty of this iconic location.

Afterwards, you board a service train and travel back to Toronto. Where you will once again enjoy dinner at your hotel. (B D)

Sunday 10th September

The Canadian

After breakfast, you will board Canada’s premier train “The Canadian”, travelling Sleeper train. We sleep on the train for four nights in double bedrooms which feature a large window with blind, two chairs, and a private washroom with small WC and sink. (B L D)

Monday 11th September

Crossing Canada

“The Canadian” is a transcontinental passenger train operated by Via Rail Canada which crosses four time zones on it’s 4,466 km (2,775 miles) journey. After breakfast, we spend the day relaxing on the train as it travels through spectacular scenery where the sheer size and drama of the landscape makes it much more than ‘countryside’. This is big country, empty but for scattered small communities like Gogama which is typical of the settlements along this section that were created in order to service locomotives. We stop at Hornepayne, which began as a railway town but where today the major industry is wood. We eat on-board “The Canadian” and spend another night in our cosy on-board bedrooms. (B L D)

Tuesday 12th September

Winnipeg

We are now in the Central Time zone and cross the border from Ontario into Manitoba before reaching its capital Winnipeg. The city was originally the hub of the Canadian fur trade due to its strategic location at the junction of three rivers. Today the “Peg” is a city as diverse as the whole of Canada and a destination for architecture, rivers, history, arts, and museums. Leaving Winnipeg we travel westwards crossing the Prairies, the huge undulating plains that span the three provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. (B L D)

Wednesday 13th September

The Rocky Mountains

During the night we pass into the Mountain Time zone and early in the morning our train arrives at Edmonton. Edmonton, the capital of Alberta, is located in the beautiful North Saskatchewan River valley. We continue our journey passing through rolling countryside before climbing into the Rockies and arriving in Jasper. Here we have a short break to stretch our legs before we continue our journey to Vancouver. (B L D)

Thursday 14th September

Vancouver

Our train arrives at Vancouver Station today. Situated on the edge of the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver is surrounded by mountains. You will check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation for the next two nights. Spend the rest of the day exploring this vibrant city.

(B D)

Friday 15th September

Free Day in Vancouver

Today you have a free day in Vancouver. Spend the day exploring the many sights and attractions that Vancouver has to offer. Overnight accommodation will once again be at your hotel in Vancouver. (B D)

Saturday 16th September

Cruise – The Inside Passage Alaska

We transfer to the harbour later in the afternoon and board the Holland America Line cruise ship MS “Koningsdam” for the voyage to Alaska. We shall navigate the Inside Passage, a world famous waterway which is sheltered from the Pacific Ocean by a host of little islands and only accessible by sea and air. (B D)

Sunday 17th September

The Inside Passage

The fabled Inside Passage is one of the most scenic sea-lanes in the world, and one of the few where deep-draft vessels can sail close to steep mountain walls. We spend a relaxing day cruising the Inside Passage viewing rugged capes, cliffs, glaciers, fjords, forests and never-ending dramatic scenery along the two thousand miles of channels, passes, straits and islands. Late in the evening we navigate the tight passage of the Seymour Narrows and the Grenville Channel between Pitt Island and the mainland. (B L D)

Monday 18th September

Juneau, capital of Alaska

This morning we cruise into Tracy Arm Fjord where seals and whales make their home and the shoreline is spotted with waterfalls created by melting snow-caps. The dramatic Sawyer Glaciers at the end of the fjord are framed by mountains and are habitat for bears, wolves, deer and moose. Shortly after lunch time we arrive in Juneau, the capital of Alaska. The city is unusual in that there are no roads connecting it to the rest of Alaska, it can only be accessed by air or water. It is known for the surrounding glaciers and lush rain forest that make up the Tongass National Forest, the largest in the USA. Juneau is known for its adventure activities

Tour Summary

Tour price £7495

Single occupancy £10995

Ground only £6895

Single occupancy £10395 (Halifax – Vancouver)

Price includes:

• Scheduled flights from London to Halifax and from Vancouver to London

• 8 nights bed and breakfast accommodation in quality hotels

• A days rail travel with overnight accommodation on “The Ocean”

• A visit to Niagara Falls

• 4 days on “The Canadian” with overnight accommodation on the train

• Other meals as shown

• 8 days Inside Passage cruise (see breakdown)

• All transfers

• The services of a tour manager throughout

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as:

B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

2023 and one of its top attractions is the massive Mendenhall Glacier which is about 19 km (12 miles) long. Our ship departs after dinner. (B L D)

Tuesday 19th September

Skagway; White Pass and Yukon Railway

We arrive at Skagway and spend the day in the historic Gold Rush town that was the gateway to the Klondike. The Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park tells the story and preserves some of the original structures. Today there is an option to ride on the White Pass and Yukon Railway to White Pass summit (at extra cost). Built in 1898 during the Klondike Gold Rush, this narrow gauge railway is one of the most scenic in the world, offering a breathtaking panorama of mountains, glaciers, gorges, waterfalls, tunnels and historic sites. Our ship leaves Skagway late in the evening. (B L D)

Wednesday 20th September

Cruise Glacier Bay

Today we cruise in Glacier Bay where the spectacular scenery and wildlife make it a highlight of the cruise. The marine wilderness of Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, includes tidewater glaciers, snowcapped rugged mountains, wild coastlines, and deep sheltered fjords. We shall see a temperate rainforest of spruce trees growing to 120 feet high and our ship will spend time in front of a glacier. Glacier Bay has more actively calving tidewater glaciers than anywhere else in the world. It is an incredible experience to watch a colossal chunk of ice split off from a glacier and thunder into the sea, the impact shooting water hundreds of feet into the air. (B L D)

Thursday 21st September

Visit to Ketchikan

Ketchikan is a major port located on Revillagigedo Island and surrounded by the Tongass National Forest. The area contains deep water fjords which were created by retreating glaciers, leaving granite cliffs towering thousands of feet above the sea and countless waterfalls plunging into placid waters. Ketchikan clings to the shores of the Tongass Narrows, with many shops and houses built right out over the water. The town calls itself the ‘Salmon Capital of the World’ and a salmon stream flows past the town’s historic Creek Street. The town is home to many museums, galleries and shops and its main attractions are the Tongass Historical Museum, Totem Bight State Park with its display of native Indian totems, and Saxman Village. Our ship sails in the early evening. (B L D)

Friday 22nd September

Cruise the Inside Passage

Today we continue to cruise the Inside Passage on our journey south. (B L D)

Saturday 23rd September

Return to Vancouver

We arrive back at Vancouver in the morning after your unforgettable Alaskan cruise. This evening we stay in a centrally located hotel for your final night in Canada where you will enjoy dinner with your fellow passengers. (B D)

Sunday 24th September

Free time in Vancouver

There will be free time to explore Vancouver this morning, a city of rich cultural diversity where North America and Asia meet. An integrated transport system of buses, rapid transit (SkyTrain) and passenger ferry (SeaBus) serve the three parts of the city: the Westside, the Eastside and city centre. Gastown (Chinatown), the market area of Granville Island, the beaches of Stanley Park, and the Strait of Georgia are all of note. In the afternoon we transfer to Vancouver airport for the flight back to London Heathrow. (B)

Monday 25th September

Arrival in the UK

We arrive at London Heathrow in the afternoon.

MS Koningsdam – Cruise Ship

• The elegant Dining Room

• Pinnacle Grill

• Lido Market

• Swimming pool, ocean spa and fitness centre

• Casino and movie theatre

• Accommodation is in E or C Ocean-view staterooms (approx. 175 sq ft)

• Meals are included and are available on board (drinks are not included outside of meal times and will need to be purchased separately). Normally only water is provided during mealtimes in the restaurant)

• All shore excursions are not included

The Ocean – Luxury Train:

• Breakfast, lunch & dinner are included whilst on board (alcoholic drinks are not included)

• All cabins are equipped with a toilet & washbasin some with showers. For those cabins without a shower, there are separate showers in the carriage

The Canadian – Luxury Train:

• Breakfast, lunch & dinner are included whilst on board (alcoholic drinks are not included)

• All cabins are equipped with a toilet & washbasin. There are no ensuite shower facilities in the cabins, these are outside in the carriage

All of the cabins on The Ocean and The Canadian for double occupancy are twin cabins with stacked single beds.

Please note, there is no Observation Car on The Ocean.

Tour Summary

Tour price £7495

Single occupancy £10995

Ground only £6895

Single occupancy £10395 (Halifax – Vancouver)

Price includes:

• Scheduled flights from London to Halifax and from Vancouver to London

• 8 nights bed and breakfast accommodation in quality hotels

• A days rail travel with overnight accommodation on “The Ocean”

• A visit to Niagara Falls

• 4 days on “The Canadian” with overnight accommodation on the train

• Other meals as shown

• 8 days Inside Passage cruise (see breakdown)

• All transfers

• The services of a tour manager throughout

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as:

B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

2023

Golden Triangle with Shimla

Thursday 11th January to Thursday 25th January 2024

Thursday 8th February to Thursday 22nd February 2024

Thursday 7th March to Thursday 21st March 2024

Discover the enchanting delights of British colonial history on this magical tour across Northern India.

• Enjoy broad-gauge steam behind the world’s oldest locomotive The Fairy Queen, and a steam-hauled adventure over a myriad of aqueducts and bridges on the narrow-gauge Kalka-Shimla ‘Toy Train’.

• Discover Delhi, with plenty of sightseeing among the greatest monuments in Indian history to enjoy, including the National Rail Museum, the ‘Red Fort’ and India Gate.

• Explore Shimla, in the Indian Himalayas. You’ll see all the landmark sights, including the famous Gaiety Heritage Theatre and the impressive Christ Church.

• In Jaipur, the ‘Pink City’ you’ll visit the iconic Temples and Palaces of a city famous for its extravagant gems and jewels, including Amer Fort, City Palace Museum, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal Palace, sites that truly reflect the royal character of a bygone era.

• Other tour highlights include a visit to the Taj Mahal – one of the seven Wonders of the World, the World Heritage Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary and Agra Fort – all yours to discover and enjoy on this once-in-a-lifetime trip to the enigmatic East.

Thursday Depart for India

You board an overnight flight from London Heathrow to Delhi.

Friday Arrive Delhi; Visit to National Rail Museum

After a traditional welcome at New Delhi International Airport with fresh marigold garlands you transfer by air-conditioned coach to your hotel. In the afternoon you discover the unique rail heritage of India on a visit to the National Railway Museum, with its many steam and electric exhibits. Dinner is served at your hotel this evening. (D)

Saturday

Excursion to Heritage Rewari Steam Centre

After breakfast, you transfer to Delhi Cantonment railway station to board the main line train steam-hauled by either Fairy Queen (EIR No. 22), the world’s oldest locomotive, or a WP locomotive. You photograph the loco and meet the crew members who run this heritage steam train before it takes you through Delhi’s western outskirts to Rewari Junction. It’s a short walk from there to the heritage Steam Centre, where up to 9 steam locomotives of broad and metre gauge are on show. In the afternoon you enjoy a laid-out buffet lunch on the relaxing lawns of the centre in the sunshine. In the late afternoon, you board a regular service train from Rewari Junction to Delhi Cantt railway station. You’ll be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay. (B L D)

Sunday Old Delhi cycle rickshaw ride and other highlights

This morning you enjoy a guided tour of historic Delhi. Tour highlights include: A Cycle Rickshaw ride in Old Delhi exploring the narrow lanes on a journey through the old part of the city, showcasing the magnificent havelis and wholesale trading of almost everything you can think of; Raj Ghat - a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. A black marble platform marks the spot of his cremation on 31 January 1948, a day after his assassination; Bangla Sahib Gurudwara – enjoy a calming visit to one of the famous temples of Sikhism; a drive past the India Gate –the 42-metre high Arc-de-Triumph-like archway which commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the World War I; President House – The Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President of India. After your fascinating tour, you return to your hotel for a welcome dinner. (B D)

Monday

Ride on the Main Line Express broadgauge to Chandigarh City

This morning you have an early morning check out from your hotel before transferring to New Delhi railway station to board the 12011 Kalka Shatabdi Express to Chandigarh, bordered by the state of Punjab to the north, the west, and the south, and by the state of Haryana to the east. On arrival, you check into your hotel. In the afternoon you have a short discovery tour of Chandigarh city, visiting the Rock Garden and the lively and bustling market. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be in your hotel this evening. (B D)

Tuesday

Exclusive ride on the UNESCO World Heritage Kalka to Shimla ‘Toy Train’

This morning you transfer by coach to Kalka station, and the narrow-gauge line platform where you board an exclusive chartered vintage railcar bound for Shimla. You’ll enjoy a fascinating, scenic 96.5 km ride on the historical Kalka-Shimla ‘Toy Train’ line with its 105 tunnels and single and double arch bridges. This leisurely journey from Kalka to Shimla climbs the foothills of the Himalayas and negotiates an altitude difference of 1400 metres. Shimla straddles an eight-mile-long ridge, with buildings clinging to the green hillsides. You arrive by early evening and are transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay. (B L D)

Wednesday Shimla to Kathleeghat by steam

After breakfast, you either walk down the Mall Road or are transferred by road to Shimla railway station to board an exclusive steam charter train ride hauled by KC 520 for a trip to Kathleeghat. You return to Shimla by 4x4 jeeps for your dinner and overnight accommodation.

(B L D)

Thursday Sightseeing in Shimla

After breakfast today you’ll enjoy a guided tour of Shimla, including its main shopping centre, the Mall. You’ll first visit the famous Indian Institute of Advanced Studies (IIAS). A beautiful museum in one of the sections of this Gothic Victorianstyle building houses scholars and researchers in the Arts, Humanities & Natural & Life Sciences. Your next stop is The Ridge, an open space that runs from east to west along the Mall, which connects to Scandal Point on the west. At an altitude of nearly 8000 feet, Scandal Point is Shimla’s highest peak and offers a beautiful view of the town and the snow-covered Himalayas. Also on the Mall is The Gaiety Heritage Theatre, a remarkable piece of Victorian theatre architecture. It has been called a miniature version of London’s Royal Albert Hall. Among many other highlights is Christ Church, the second oldest church in Northern India. Inside are stained glass windows representing faith, hope, charity, fortitude, patience, and humility. (B D)

Friday

Return on the Main Line Express broadgauge to Delhi

You enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel and a free morning in Shimla before transferring by coach to Kalka. On arrival at Kalka station, you board the 12012 Kalka Shatabdi Express and arrive at Delhi railway station in the late evening. Dinner will be served on board. On arrival in New Delhi, you transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. (B D)

Saturday

Mainline broad-gauge to Agra

An early start awaits today as you transfer to Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station to board 12050 Gatimaan Express – India’s first semibullet train – to arrive at Agra Cantt railway station mid-morning. Breakfast will be served on board. You’ll be met on arrival and enjoy a guided visit of the Itimad-Ud-Daulah, also known as Baby Taj. You’ll visit a local marble factory to witness the inlay work of precious stones also known as Pietra dura, which is the same type of stonework used on the Taj Mahal & Baby Taj. You then transfer to your hotel for check-in. In the early evening, you visit Agra Fort – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in red sandstone. It was originally mentioned in 1080 AD and came to prominence when the great Mughal emperor Akbar made Agra his capital in 1558. Later his grandson Shah Jahan added a white marble palace inside the fort. (B D)

Tour Summary

Tour price £4595

Single supplement £750

Ground only* £4050 (Delhi – Delhi)

Price includes:

• 13 nights hotel accommodation and breakfast

• 4 lunches

• 13 dinners

• All train travel, transfers, visits and tours as detailed in the itinerary

• Charter and special trains as detailed in the itinerary

• Domestic airfare for the sector Jaipur – Delhi in economy class

• Accompanying tour guide

• The services of a UK Tour Manager throughout the main tour

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as:

B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

Please note: All locomotives listed within the itinerary are correct at time of going to print but may be subject to change. Baggage allowance for all flights is 23kgs per person. *Ground only means passengers are responsible for arranging their own international travel to and from Delhi.

Sunday

Dawn

visit to Taj Mahal; Fatehpur Sikri; Peaceful village walk

You’ll rise early today to enjoy a dawn visit with your guide to that famous wonder of the world – the Taj Mahal, built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The best views of the Taj are at dawn with fewer people around. The porous nature of Taj’s white marble helps it absorb light and reflect different shades of white – ideal for photo opportunities. You’ll have a relaxing hour or so to enjoy the views through different angles. Taj, as a symbol of love, has many stories to tell. The perfectly symmetrical monument standing tall since 1653 AD took 22 years and 20,000 labourers to complete. After your visit you return to your hotel for breakfast. Later, you transfer to Bharatpur, enjoying a guided visit of Fatehpur Sikri en route. This city originally belonged to the Rajput clan but was re-found in 1569 by the great Mughal emperor Akbar. It is at Fatehpur Sikri that the legends of Akbar and his famed courtiers, the nine jewels or Navaratnas, were born. Fatehpur Sikri is one of the best-preserved collections of Indian Mughal architecture in India. You then transfer to a heritage palace hotel in Bharatpur. In the early evening, you have a guided walking tour of Bharatpur village – walk among the fields, observe the village life, and discover its 1000-years-old history. (B L D)

Monday Keaoladeo World Heritage Bird Sanctuary

After breakfast, you have a guided tour of the Bharatpur bird sanctuary by rickshaw with your naturalist guide. Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary was established in 1956 and is one of the finest bird sanctuaries in the world. It boasts over 360 species of birds, out of which 117 are local. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Storks, ducks, Chinese coots, kingfishers, spoonbills, sarus cranes and several birds of prey, including falcon, marsh harrier and eagle abound. 80 species of duck alone can be spotted here. Around noon you are driven to Jaipur, the Pink City of India. It’s the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Founded on 18th November 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amer, the city today has a population of 3.1 million. In 1876 Jaipur was coloured in terracotta pink to welcome Prince Albert, hence the name ‘Pink City’. (B D)

Tuesday

Sightseeing in The Pink City

An early breakfast at your hotel is followed by guided excursions to: Amer Fort (Amber Fort), the erstwhile capital of the Kachwaha Rajputs before they moved to their newly built capital in Jaipur. Built in white marble and red sandstone, the nearby lake adds to its charm. You’ll visit the Diwan-e-Aam, (Hall of Public Audience), the Diwan-e-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), the Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), and the Sukh Niwas, where a cool climate is artificially created by winds that blow over a water cascade within the palace; City Palace Museum, in the central-northeast part of Jaipur city, is laid in a grid pattern with wide avenues. It’s a unique and arresting complex of several palaces, pavilions, gardens, and temples; Jantar Mantar – is a collection of architectural astronomical instruments, built by Maharaja (King) Jai Singh II between 1727 and 1734. He constructed five such facilities at different locations, including the ones at Delhi and Jaipur. The Jaipur observatory is the largest and best preserved of these; Hawa Mahal Palace – The poet king Sawai Pratap Singh built this palace of winds, one of the landmarks of Jaipur. This five-storey building overlooking the busy bazaar street is a fascinating example of Rajput architecture and artistry; In late afternoon, you also visit a hand block-printing factory to view local arts and crafts. Jaipur is rightly famous for its extravagant gems and jewels, reflecting the royal character of a bygone era. (B D)

Wednesday

Return from Jaipur to Delhi

After breakfast at your hotel you transfer to Jaipur airport to board a flight to arrive Delhi. On arrival, transfer to your hotel in Delhi for an overnight stay. (B D)

Thursday

Return to UK or extend on the sunny beaches of Goa!

Following breakfast transfer to Delhi International Airport for your return flight to the UK. Alternatively spend a few extra nights in India with a Goa Extension. (B)

Goa extension prices per person:

5-Star – 5 nights

£1050 with single supplement of £675

5-Star – 3 nights

£795 with single supplement of £425

4-Star – 5 nights

£750 with single supplement of £395

4-Star – 3 nights

£595 with single supplement of £249

Price for Goa extension includes:

• Internal flights from Delhi to Goa and return

• Transfers to and from resort

• Overnight accommodation with breakfast

• Please note: The UK Tour Manager and the Indian tour guide will not be present on the Goa Extension.

Tour Summary

Tour price £4595

Single supplement £750

Ground only* £4050 (Delhi – Delhi)

Price includes:

• 13 nights hotel accommodation and breakfast

• 4 lunches

• 13 dinners

• All train travel, transfers, visits and tours as detailed in the itinerary

• Charter and special trains as detailed in the itinerary

• Domestic airfare for the sector Jaipur – Delhi in economy class

• Accompanying tour guide

• The services of a UK Tour Manager throughout the main tour

All prices shown are per person based on two persons sharing.

Meals included each day are shown as:

B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner

Please note: All locomotives listed within the itinerary are correct at time of going to print but may be subject to change. Baggage allowance for all flights is 23kgs per person. *Ground only means passengers are responsible for arranging their own international travel to and from Delhi.